Charles Mitchell 🇺🇸

The Socialist movement began to wither after the acceptance by most reputable economists of Dr. von Mises Economic Calculation argument and with the inability of Socialists to refute the irrationality of socialistic economic system. However, followers of Karl Marx then began attacking the Capitalists who managed the system rather than the rationality of the capitalistic system. Mises writes that “Marxists criticize the achievements of all those who think otherwise by representing them as the venal servants of the bourgeoisie. Marx and Engels never tried to refute their opponents with argument. They insulted, ridiculed, derided, slandered, and traduced them, and in the use of these methods their followers are not less expert. Their polemic is directed never against the argument of the opponent, but always against (their) person.” Mise also pointed out that Marxists were able to build a wall of prejudice which blocked the way to an unbiased scrutiny of Marxism. “Marxists were able to convince many people (especially females) that any advocate of socialistic measures was looked upon as the friend of the Good, the Noble, and the Moral, as a disinterested pioneer of necessary reforms. In short, as a person who unselfishly serves his own people and all humanity, and above all as a zealous and courageous seeker after truth. But let anyone measure Socialism by the standards of scientific reasoning, and they at once becomes a champion of the evil principle, a mercenary serving the egotistical interests of a class, a menace to the welfare of the community, an ignoramus outside the pale. For the most curious thing about this way of thinking is that it regards the question, whether Socialism or Capitalism will better serve the public welfare, as settled in advance—to the effect, naturally, that Socialism is considered as good and Capitalism as evil—whereas in fact of course only be a scientific inquiry could the matter be decided.” Dr. von Mises has made it clear to me that today’s Progressives have completely (and successfully) adopted the Marxists method of dodging any scientific analysis of a Capitalist’s claims by appealing to emotions. This somewhat explains the appeal of socialism to the feminists.